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2025 Annual Report Of The Nominating Committee, University Of Northern Iowa. Faculty Senate.

Documents - Faculty Senate

University Nominating Committee report including committee memberships, produced by the Faculty Senate of the University of Northern Iowa.

University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga Faculty Handbook, 2025 August 1, University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga. Office Of Academic Affairs, University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga. Faculty Senate

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Faculty Handbooks

Governance, policies, guidelines, services, and resources managed by and for the faculty at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Expectations In Instructional Design: A Comparison Of Hampton Roads Industry Requirements And Old Dominion University’S Curriculum, Haley Aguilar

STEMPS Master's Level Projects and Papers

This master’s thesis aims to analyze the alignment between Old Dominion University’s Instructional Design and Technology program curriculum and employer expectations for instructional designers in the Hampton Roads region. The study examined job listings from 50 positions and curriculum content from 22 courses across six skill categories: technical skills, design and development competencies, communication and facilitation skills, analysis and assessment skills, project management capabilities, and specialized skills. The findings contribute to understanding the challenges of preparing instructional design graduates for workforce entry.

Perceptions Of First-Year College Students On Respect In The Classroom During Their High School Career, Jane Adele Bailey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the influence of teacher respect on classroom climate, student- teacher relationships, and academic performance. Through interviews with college students reflecting on their high school experiences, this research identifies specific teacher actions and communication that foster respect in the classroom. By identifying what respectful communication and actions are through the interviews, teachers will be able to use these in their classrooms.

Six themes were identified by the participants lived experiences. They are: teacher demeanor, social interaction, attitude, emotional support, instructional management and facilitation, and listening. The results gave specific actions and communication, in the eyes of the participants, …

Educating The New Generation Of Food Scientists Through Innovative Learning Experiences, Karen Andrea Nieto Flores

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Food science provides an opportunity to engage high school students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) by connecting classroom concepts to real-world applications. Despite the field’s relevance to public health, food safety, sustainability, and innovation, food science remains largely absent from high school curricula, and few students recognize it as a viable STEM pathway. This research addressed this gap by evaluating immersive summer camp experiences and teacher-focused curriculum review as strategies to increase food science awareness and interest among students and educators. A literature review traced the historical development and current landscape of K–12 food science education, identifying barriers …

Examining The Correlation Between Special Education Eligibility And Socioeconomic Status In Rural Minnesota Public Schools, Lisa Schlosser

Education Doctorate Dissertations

The study examined the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and Special Education identification in rural Minnesota schools, focusing on Specific Learning Disabilities and Other Health Disabilities, to determine whether students from lower-income backgrounds are disproportionately identified for Special Education services. Data were collected from five rural Minnesota public schools, analyzing student-level demographic and eligibility data from the 2022–2023 school year. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation analysis, and ratio calculations assessed the relationship between SES, indicated by free/reduced-price lunch eligibility, and Special Education identification rates. The results revealed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.84) between students qualifying for free/reduced-price lunch and …

Open Educational Resources In Elder Refugee Esl Contexts: Instructor And Administrator Perspectives, Alison Elliott

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Open Educational Resources (OER) offer a promising solution to educational disparities through their free, adaptable, and shareable nature, fostering collaboration and innovation in pedagogy. While OER, alongside Open Educational Practices (OEP), has seen a vibrant and growing integration within K-16 foreign language contexts, its application within adult English as a Second Language (ESL) education remains significantly under-researched. Adult ESL contexts, especially those serving refugees, present unique challenges: learners have experienced trauma, interrupted education, and have urgent practical English needs, while adult educators contend with inconsistent training, demanding part-time workloads, and a fragmented professional ecosystem that limits professional development and research …

An Exploration Of Factors Influencing Sophomore-Year Persistence At A Regional Institution In Southern Appalachia, Jonathan W. Mitchell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative and interpretative phenomenological study was to explore factors that participants identified as playing roles in their persistence through their sophomore years at a regional university located within Southern Appalachia. Research on second-year retention efforts is far lacking compared to first-year retention efforts. Reflecting the heavy emphasis placed on the first year, there is also more research on first-year retention. However, students can feel a sharp decline in support entering sophomore year, making that just as critical of a transition. Student retention has been emphasized in higher education since its inception, as an institution’s goal in …

Exploring The Impact Of Inclusion Initiatives On The Retention And Engagement Of People Of Color In Nonprofit Organizations: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Kesha Carter

Education Doctoral

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the impact of inclusion initiatives on the retention and engagement of people of color (POC) in nonprofit organizations. Grounded in Ray’s (2019) theory of racialized organizations, this study examined how organizational structures and practices influence inclusive workplace cultures for POC employees. Although diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategies have gained traction, many nonprofit organizations struggle to move beyond performative efforts and address the systemic inequities that shape POC experiences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 full-time POC employees working in nonprofit organizations across New York State to capture their lived …

An Examination Of How Black Church Leaders Support The Long-Term Impact Of Trauma In The Black Community: A Qualitative Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Loretha J. Mccullough

Education Doctoral

The prevalence of mental illness due to untreated childhood trauma continues to be a concern, particularly for Black people. The consequence of obtaining formal treatment is perceived to be discriminatory and stigmatizing in the Black culture. Instead, the preferred method of treatment is religious coping. The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to examine how Black clergy leaders support the long-term impact of trauma in the Black community. The primary source of data collection was semi-structured interviews. These interviews captured the essence of how Black clergy leaders described their preparedness to effectively advise, and counsel congregants on mental health …

Madam President: Navigating The Journey Of Black Women To Executive Leadership In Higher Education, Tressi Daymon

Education Doctoral

The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study is to examine the leadership trajectories of Black women in senior executive roles in higher education, with a focus on the barriers and supports that have shaped their careers. Semi-structured interviews gathered perspectives on their lived experiences, capturing both the challenges they faced and the strategies used in their journeys. These strategies included networking, skill-building, advocacy, and resilience, reflecting how these women navigated and overcame the unique leadership challenges they faced. Black feminist theory and intersectionality provided the theoretical framework to explore how race and gender biases uniquely affected their leadership journeys. Data …

The Need For Succession Planning In The Non-Profit Sector Through The Lens Of The Black Church: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Lydia E. Hylton

Education Doctoral

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the critical need for succession planning within the non-profit sector, focusing on the Black Church as a case study. Through in-depth interviews with church leaders, this research uncovered the challenges and best practices in leadership transitions. The study provided insights into how effective succession planning can ensure organizational sustainability, preserve cultural heritage, and maintain community trust. By understanding the lived experiences of Black church leaders, this research aims to offer practical recommendations that can be applied across the non-profit sector, promoting resilience and continuity in leadership.

Examining Employers’ Perspectives Relating To Early College High School Programs And Employability Skills, Kathleen Mcguigan

Education Doctoral

This phenomenological qualitative research study examined employer perspectives on the employability skills of graduates from Early College High School (ECHS) programs. The study investigated the program components that enhance the preparation of employability skills and the systems that support graduate transition to the workforce. Using semi-structured interviews with employer partners and an iterative coding process, three key themes emerged across the data. The key themes highlight the importance of factors relating to workplace readiness, including internships and experiential learning, behavioral and soft skills, and structured transition systems, as critical components in preparing ECHS graduates for employment.

The findings indicate that …

Interdisciplinary Studies At Grand Valley State: Brooks College At Twenty, Eric Covey

Grand Valley Reports and Histories

This study, focused chiefly on academic programs, begins with a brief outline of the history of the Cluster Colleges at Grand Valley State University and then goes on to detail how the arrival of a new provost in 2002 revived and reshaped the idea of an independent college dedicated to interdisciplinary experiments. It was written partially to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies.

Social Sprouts: A Play-Based Packaged Intervention - Improving Peer Interactions In Early Childhood Classrooms With A Novel Group Contingency, Brittany D. Garza

Master's Theses

Teaching prosocial skills such as positive peer interactions in early childhood settings not only promotes behavioral health but reliably predicts future learning outcomes. The literature suggests that decreasing levels of challenging behavior may improve peer interactions, and a feasible class-wide strategy that can address this combination of needs effectively is a group contingency. The current study investigated the effect of a novel group contingency, Social Sprouts, on both positive peer interactions and disruptive behavior. This study utilized a nonconcurrent multiple baseline design in three Head Start classrooms to evaluate the effect of this packaged intervention delivered just before and during …

Formation Of Inclusive Competence Of Future Special Education Teachers, Gulbanu Ashimkhanova, Akbota Autaeva, Anar Rakhmetova, Gulmira Tussupbekova, Kanat Sadykov

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives: This study aims to explore the phenomenon of inclusive competence as an integral trait of today’s educators.

Methods: The scientific research involved surveying students from pedagogical universities as well as using methods of analysis and synthesis, generalization, systematization, comparison, and classification.

Results: The concept of inclusive competence is understood as the degree of skills and knowledge required to fulfil pedagogical responsibilities within an inclusive educational environment. Key elements of inclusive competence, such as cognitive, motivational, reflexive, and operational components, have been identified and have the following functions:

• · Cognitive elements enable teachers to develop a comprehensive understanding of pedagogical …

Evaluation Of The Impact Of Project-Based Vocational Learning Programs At Vocational Schools, Muhammad Sadam Rizkylillah, Soeprijanto Soeprijanto, Muksin Muksin

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

This study evaluates the impact (effectiveness and outcome) of project-based vocational learning program in Electrical Power Installation programs (TITL) at vocational schools in Tangerang, Indonesia. Using the Goal Free Evaluation model and a mixed-methods approach, quantitatively, the study found that 93,93% of the program ran well. It identified 33 positive impacts that matched the program's goals, 2 negative impacts, and 6 unexpected positive outcomes for students such as curiosity, confidence, safety awareness, entrepreneurship, responsibility, and honesty. Addressing high vocational graduate unemployment, this research fills a gap by focusing on real impacts rather than predefined goals. The program is recommended to …

Digital Media In Teaching & Learning Reading Comprehension: The View Of The Efl Pre-Service Teachers In An Indonesian Higher Education, Mistang Mistang, Ruslin Ruslin, Zul Aini Rengur, Hijrah Syam, Siti Wirana

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

The rapid advancement of digital technology has transformed the dynamics of reading comprehension instruction, particularly in the context of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learning. This study aims to explore the perspectives of EFL pre-service teachers regarding the teaching and learning of reading comprehension in digital-based learning environments. Additionally, the research seeks to understand the challenges these preservice teachers face in teaching reading skills and to investigate the effectiveness of current digital media in enhancing EFL pre-service teachers’ reading comprehension abilities. Employing a mixed-methods approach, quantitative data were collected through online questionnaires distributed to 26 respondents, while qualitative data …

The Impact Of Previous Police Contact And Attitudes Toward Police On Firearm Carriage In A College Student Population, Amanda Kroll

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines whether an association exists between police contact and firearm carriage. Additionally, the present study examines whether the intrusiveness of police contact has an association with firearm carriage. Questionnaires measuring participant demographics, perceptions of the police, contact with the police, and firearm carriage were administered to 222 participants recruited through undergraduate psychology courses at a state university in the Midwest. Results indicated that participants with a history of contact with the police were more likely to carry a firearm than participants with no contact with the police. Regarding frequency of firearm carriage, participants with a history of police …

The Tree That Would Not Fall: An Educator’S Autoethnographic Journey Of Healing Through Words, Raeanna Marie Carlson

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

To say the world has changed since the 2020 COVID-19 shut down is to minimize the micro and macro social changes that infiltrated the school system. In the wake of it all, we find a landscape marred by a both rising teacher attrition and struggling student motivation. This autoethnographic dissertation explores the deeply personal experience tethered to a deeply problematic system that contributes to not only teacher burnout but what I came to know as teacher demoralization. Personal traumas of teachers profoundly impact their experience in the classroom, and as I examined my own near departure from the classroom, I …

Between Two Worlds: A Case Study Of Third Culture Identity And Reentry For Unl International Students, John S. Tessalee

Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Third Culture Kids (TCKs) and international students share many commonalities, such as their globalized nature, adaptability, and the adoption of cultural components from their host country versus their home country. However, they contain enough differences to be considered separate groups. Traditionally, people need to be immersed in a culture different from their parents’ culture between the ages of 0 and 18 to be considered a TCK, whereas international students are typically between 18 and 24 years old by the time they attend universities overseas. The cultural absorption of TCKs in their formative years is usually greater than that of international …

Conceptions Of Climate Change Skepticism: A Phenomenographic Investigation On Perspectives From Climate Scientists And Climate Activists, Candace L. Penrod

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This study addresses how climate change denial is understood by climate scientists and climate activists. This research also investigates what communication strategies addressing climate change denial are used by climate scientists and climate activists. Phenomenography was selected as a methodology to address the qualitative and quantitative aspects of this inquiry. Pre-recorded data from interviews with six climate scientists and six climate activists living in the Intermountain West were used as the data source. Interview transcripts were read, marked, and coded to identify how climate scientists and climate activists understood climate change denial. Five conceptions of climate change skepticism were identified …

Building Elementary Student Science Skills And Interest: A Reciprocal Engagement Partnership, Lindley Mcdavid, Sandra F. San Miguel

ELRC Presentations

Scholar-practitioner partnerships grounded in community engagement principles focus on mutually beneficial relationships that meet critical community needs while integrating learning, discovery and service. Our research aims to identify how and the degree that a physical activity-based science learning program contributes to students’ science learning and interest while aiming to support the overall wellbeing of a community elementary school that serves families from under resourced (98% free/reduced lunch) and diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds (48% non-white). Partner school teachers and staff members were invited to participate in an interview where they answered questions about their perspectives and experiences with the program …

Identifying And Examining Stressors In The Secondary And Post-Secondary Classroom, Benjamin S. Alter

All NMU Master's Theses

Students in secondary and post-secondary classrooms are openly exposed to stressors that can be considered impactful in their day-to-day lives.These stressors can be categorized as either “positive,” which serve as motivators, or “negative,” which often cause anxiety. In order to understand the stressors that students experience, students in a rural teacher education program at Northern Michigan University were asked to respond anonymously to a survey asking about stressors at the secondary and post-secondary levels. The survey was given to students enrolled in the Winter & Fall semesters of 2023, and the Winter semester of 2024. Students identified stressors from their …

Revitalizing Literary Engagement: Innovative Approaches To Teaching Willa Cather In High School English Classes, Sarah Hoyt, Phu Vu

Language Arts Journal of Michigan

This study explores methods to enhance student engagement and interest in high school English literature classes, focusing on the analysis of Willa Cather's novels. It addresses the challenge of motivating students to engage deeply with full-length novels, crucial for cultural and literary education. Employing a qualitative approach and triangulated data sources, the study reveals significant improvements in student engagement, comprehension, and literary analysis. Additionally, students demonstrated a heightened ability to connect with the themes and characters in the prose.

Bridging The Gap: Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Trio Student Support Services In Promoting Retention, Persistence, And Graduation At Boise State University, Ryan Brevik

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the effectiveness of TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) programs at Boise State University in promoting academic success of first-generation college students, students from financially limited backgrounds, and students with documented disabilities. Using a quantitative, quasi-experimental design, a secondary data analysis was completed to compare fall-to-fall retention rates, four-year graduation rates, and six-year graduation rates between TRIO SSS participants and a matched comparison group of non-participants with similar demographic and academic characteristics. Grounded in the theoretical frameworks of Appreciative Advising, self-efficacy theory, sense of belonging, student involvement theory, and student persistence models, this study adds to the existing …

Examining The Perspectives Of School Administrators Regarding The Participation Of Students With Disabilities In Career And Technical Education, Kerstin Wheeler

Education Doctoral

Research consistently indicates that career and technical education (CTE) programs offer significant benefits for students. Participating in CTE programs has been shown to improve academic performance, increase graduation rates, and support successful post-school outcomes for all students. While laws and regulations require clear and intentional post-secondary transition planning, participation in CTE among students with disabilities in New York State remains low, less than one in five take part. Using a phenomenological, qualitative design, this study applied Theoharis and Causton’s (2014) framework of Seven Steps to Inclusive Leadership Practices to add to the research the perspectives of school administrators on the …

The Impact Of Transformational Leadership On Leader Emotional Exhaustion And Patient Safety Culture: A Quantitative Study Devoted To Enhancing U.S. Healthcare Leaders, Katrina J. Wojciechowski

Education Doctoral

The United States (U.S.) healthcare system faces significant challenges, including high costs and disparities in access and quality of care. These issues were exacerbated by the COVID- 19 pandemic, which strained resources and staffing. Healthcare leaders must navigate the complexities of delivering care, managing costs, and ensuring high-quality, equitable healthcare services. Their role is crucial in transforming the healthcare system, driving change, and implementing innovations to enhance its effectiveness and efficiency. Equipping healthcare leaders with transformational leadership skills allows them to foster a culture of collaboration by inspiring and motivating teams to embrace change. This quantitative study aimed to (a) …

Barriers To Hispanic Post-Secondary Education In Science Fields, Luis Slayton

Theses and Dissertations

The study aimed to examine whether external barriers could be identified and are present throughout a Hispanic individual's educational life. The beliefs of the Hispanic community regarding education and the nature of acquiring an education could be relevant to the factors that impede the completion of high school. A survey approach was chosen as the methodology for the study due to the confidential nature of a questionnaire. Human nature tends to be more honest when not asked personal questions face-to-face. Additionally, there is potential to generalize attributes from a small sample to a larger population, allowing inferences about the identified …

Examining The Relationship Between Teaching Presence In The Community Of Inquiry Framework And Student Satisfaction In Online Graduate Educational Technology Courses, Vianna Madrid

Theses and Dissertations

The Community of Inquiry (CoI) Framework, comprising three key elements, social presence, cognitive presence, and teaching presence, provides a theoretical foundation for understanding how students engage with and perceive their online learning environments. Among these elements, teaching presence, encompassing course design and organization, facilitation of discourse, and direct instruction, plays a fundamental role in shaping students’ perceptions of instructional clarity, support, and overall satisfaction. This quantitative study, grounded in the CoI model, examines the relationship between the categories of teaching presence and student satisfaction among graduate students enrolled in online Educational Technology courses. Accordingly, a survey instrument incorporating the CoI …